A huge thanks to our staff, sponsors and supporters, as well as the dynamic duo of Board of Equalization Member Fiona Ma and San Jose City Councilmember Ash Kalra, who reprised their role as MCs.

This year's Gala attendees were treated to a complete refresh of the event. We held it at The Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center, which provided a larger stage and two floors where guests could mingle and eat. We also changed from a seated plated dinner to an all-you-can-eat food station set-up, and re-opened the bar for hosted beer and wine to promote even more networking and mingling, which has been a cornerstone of the event through the years. On top of that, we had live music from the band "The Delivery" for guests to dance to throughout the night. This new approach to the event seemed to be a big hit, but don't take our word for it -- click here or on the above picture to see for yourself!

SF MBDA helps MBEs gain government contracts

Lamar Heystek, Director of our San Francisco Minority Business Center, served as a panelist on the Asian Business League of San Francisco's "Boosting Sales for Small Business Event." Lamar joined officials from the U.S. Small Business Administration, City and County of San Francisco, and East Bay Municipal Utility District, as well as representatives of Wells Fargo Bank, to help minority entrepreneurs navigate the waters of government contracting and access to both traditional and non-traditional sources of capital. Lamar was joined by his colleague Tony Tang, a Business Development Specialist at the San Francisco MBDA Business Center.

During tax season, ASIAN, Inc. participates in the Internal Revenue Service's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free tax preparation to those with limited English proficiency, the elderly and anyone making less than $54,000 a year. Learn how you can help the empower the underserved and be part of ASIAN, Inc.'s mission by joining our VITA team today!

Last month, ASIAN, Inc. President Michael Chan and our MBDA Business centers were out in full force at the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) National Conference and Expo at the San Diego Convention Center. The multi-day event was the highlight of National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, bringing together over 6,000 minority suppliers and representatives from some of America's largest corporations.

One of the highlights of the proceedings in San Diego was MBDA's National MED Week Awards Ceremony, where San Francisco's own Joan Namahana Kerr of Pacific Gas & Electric's Supplier Diversity & Sustainability Program received the MBDA National Director's Special Recognition Award. Congratulations, Joan!

San Jose MBDA creates matchmaking success!

Richard Camacho, President of GEMS Environmental Management Services and a longtime San Jose MBDA Business Center client, was recently awarded a five-year IDIQ contract with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.